A programmable network switch that can process the signaling for all types of packet protocols. Also known as a "media gateway controller," "call agent" or "call server," such devices are used by carriers that support converged communications services by integrating SS7 telephone signaling with packet networks. Using network processors at its core, softswitches can support IP, DSL, ATM and frame relay in the same unit.
It Should Be Able To...
According to the International Softswitch Consortium, a softswitch should be able to (1) control connection services for a media gateway and/or native IP endpoints, (2) select processes that can be applied to a call, (3) provide routing for a call within the network based on signaling and customer database information, (4) transfer control of the call to another network element, and (5) interface to and support management functions such as provisioning, fault, billing, etc.
Software Makes It Flexible
The switching technology in a softswitch is in software (hence its name) rather than in the hardware as with traditional switching center technology. This software programmability allows it to support existing and future IP telephony protocols (H.323, SIP, MEGACO, etc.). See IP telephony. See also Soft-Switch.
It Should Be Able To...
According to the International Softswitch Consortium, a softswitch should be able to (1) control connection services for a media gateway and/or native IP endpoints, (2) select processes that can be applied to a call, (3) provide routing for a call within the network based on signaling and customer database information, (4) transfer control of the call to another network element, and (5) interface to and support management functions such as provisioning, fault, billing, etc.
Software Makes It Flexible
The switching technology in a softswitch is in software (hence its name) rather than in the hardware as with traditional switching center technology. This software programmability allows it to support existing and future IP telephony protocols (H.323, SIP, MEGACO, etc.). See IP telephony. See also Soft-Switch.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2009 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- News to know: HP, Vista SP2; Pre; Oracle licensing
- Here are today’s notable headlines. You can get News To Know via email alert and RSS daily. For continuous updates see BNET’s around-the-Web tech coverage. Larry Dignan: HP's second quarter on target; Big units take revenue lumps; Headcount cuts ahead Mary Jo Foley: Where is Vista SP2? ...
- Blog posts 2009-05-20
- Open Source Softswitch Adds Skype
- Open Source Softswitch Adds SkypeHD VoIP As Well!It also allows the skype calls to work at 16khz!
- Discussion threads 2009-05-19
- Open Source Softswitch Adds Skype
- Here's an interesting teaser for you Skype aficionados. Later this month, the new release of FreeSWITCH, the first open source softswitch, will enable carriers and enterprise to integrate Skype into their VoIP services and platform. For the first time, developers will have a free, high-performance voice switching...
- Blog posts 2009-05-19
- HD Telephony: The Next Big Step?
- How much will you pay to sound great on the phone? That's the question Jeff Pulver and crew will need to answer when vendors and customers meet at the upcoming HD VoIP Summit in New York later this month. Sit in on any conversation over...
- Blog posts 2009-05-06
- Carrier Voice Transformation: Strategies for the Second Wave
- Over the past years, fixed and mobile carriers have invested in the IP'ization of their network and the replacement of TDM switches with Softswitch-based architectures. Driven by the continuously changing technology and market environment, a second wave of IP Transformation is imminent. This webcast explores the new and critical strategies...
- Webcasts 2008-12-16
- Divitas Helps U.S. Carrier Deploy Mobile UC to Businesses Worldwide
- Sawtel - a carrier based in Hartford, Conn. - has a presence in the U.S. as well as 16 emerging countries throughout the world. The company wanted to deploy a Mobile UC solution to help customers worldwide increase productivity and save on mobile costs. Sawtel deployed DiVitas Mobile UC to...
- Case studies 2008-08-21
- starface PBX - VoIP 3.0 (Mac)
- starface is a professional Voice-over-IP solution, which can reproduce the complete voice-communication of companies on a software basis. Characteristic for starface Softswitch PBX is the innovative, process-oriented usage concept, which uses the advantages of the software basis, to reproduce the process of voice-communication ergonomically and intuitively. The browser-based concept...
- Software downloads 2008-08-01
- Carrier-Class Softswitch Enables Service Provider to Deliver Advanced Hosted IP Communications
- iHub needed to find a platform that could not only provide the right hosted IP telephony services for iHub's customers, but also give iHub the tools to tap into the wider market by reselling the service through a channel of distributors and resellers. The company deployed Nortel for its solution...
- Case studies 2008-05-12
- Will telcos accept an open source switch?
- Will telcos accept an open source switch?Yeswhen they can call it their own, make loads of money off of it, patent what they can to make their part future payment secure, and piggyback the rest like a free ride.RE: Will telcos accept an open source switch?How does this this product...
- Discussion threads 2008-04-09
- News to know: Vista SP1 performance; Patch day preview; Google
- Notable headlines: Mary Jo Foley: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes: Vista SP1 - The promised performance gains are there Vista SP1--Day 1 Windows Vista Service Pack 1 screenshot gallery George Ou: Death encounters with Vista SP1 RTM Larry Dignan:...
- Blog posts 2008-02-08
- iSkoot mobile VoIP to be integrated with carrier-class Cisco gateway, softswitch
- Mobile VoIP solutions provider iSkoot says that they have successfully completed iSkoot interoperability and integration testing with the Cisco AS5000 Series Universal Gateway and the Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch. The Cisco Softswitch is one of those a carrier-class softswitch that performs signaling and call-control tasks to enable...
- Blog posts 2008-02-07
- VoIP Traffic Manager- a turnkey solution for hosted VoIP management
- One of the more interesting aspects of going to VoIP-related trade shows is an opportunity to see the underbelly of Internet telephony. By underbelly, I don't mean the snazzy new softphones with the sparkling GUIs, or even the software that lets home, SMB and even enterprise users...
- Blog posts 2008-01-24
- Asia-Pacific softswitch architecture grew 36% in 2007
- Revenue from softswitch architecture in Asia/Pacific, excluding Japan, will grow by 36% in 2007, to $1.5 bln. It will keep growing strongly, to hit $3.6 bln in 2011, Gartner says. by site admin
- Blog posts 2008-01-05
- Evolving Core Networks: Motorola Softswitch Solution
- Motorola Softswitch is available now as a key offering in complete end-to-end wireless network solution, and is another demonstration of the Motorola commitment to providing intelligent products and services to today's network operator. Motorola Softswitch is also the logical choice for network rollout or expansion in emerging markets due to...
- White papers 2008-01-03
- Voice over IP Foundations
- View Available Dates and Locations Gain essential data networking and Voice over IP VoIP knowledge in a single, week-long class. In this course, you will learn how VoIP works, why VoIP works, and how to use VoIP. On the first day, you will configure an IP network...
- Training 2008-01-01
- Telmex's Hosted IP PBX Solution by Nortel Delivers Heightened Productivity at a Low Price
- Telmex is one of the Americas' pioneering telecommunications companies, providing advanced products, services and solutions in Mexico and throughout Latin America. With its commitment to providing innovative and productive solutions, Telmex was looking to develop and deploy a complete, end-to-end IP services solution for its medium and large enterprise customers....
- Case studies 2007-12-06
- The five things cell companies need to do to make you like them
- The five things cell companies need to do to make you like themHow about Customer Service?Gee, maybe some ACTUAL Customer Service would be nice. Egads, you dial the CSR number, and play voice mail hell for 20 minutes, and then get a CSR who is just downright snotty!!I have several...
- Discussion threads 2007-11-12
- Hosted VoIP and Data for More Than 25 000 Dealerships in North America
- ADP Network Solutions, part of ADP Dealer Services provides integrated voice and data computing solutions to more than 25,000 auto, truck, motorcycle, marine and recreational vehicle dealers throughout North America. The company wanted to fulfill network integration between Rodopi billing and provisioning system and ADP's existing service order and activation...
- Case studies 2007-10-03
- STARFACE PBX - VOIP 2.0.5 (Windows)
- starface is a professional Voice-over-IP solution, which can reproduce the complete voice-communication of companies on a software basis. Characteristic for starface Softswitch PBX is the innovative, process-oriented usage concept, which uses the advantages of the software basis, to reproduce the process of voice-communication ergonomically and intuitively. The browser-based concept...
- Software downloads 2007-03-22
- Cisco BTS 10200 Softswitch Tabular Display of CPI/CPM Data Feature Module
- The Cisco BTS 10200 Softswitch Tabular Display of CPI/CPM Data feature enables the Cisco BTS 10200 Softswitch to display current alarms, alarm history, and event history in tabular form. The underlying CPI layer modification also enables other commands to display their data in tabular form. CPI layer changes facilitate the...
- White papers 2007-03-05
Neighboring Terms
Premier Vendor Content Whitepapers, webcasts & resources from our Power Center Sponsors
- The best support in the Linux business
-
If Linux is going to power your mission-critical applications, you'd better have the best support known to business. Novell was rated the top provider of Linux technical support.
- Learn more >>
- New Online Dashboard for IT Leaders
-
Read about top issues IT decision-makers face every day, plus get cost-effective solutions to real-life IT problems.
- Learn more >>
- The best support in the Linux business
-
If Linux is going to power your mission-critical applications, you'd better have the best support known to business. Novell was rated the top provider of Linux technical support.
- Learn more >>
- The more you simplify, the more you save
-
When you transition from your existing Red Hat environment to SUSE Linux Enterprise from Novell, you can recognize dramatic cost savings, perhaps as much 50%
- Learn more >>
Enterprise Applications
- Check out some of the easiest and most powerful ways to boost productivity while saving money on your application infrastructure. See ZDNet's comprehensive Enterprise Application resource center, now!
- New Online Dashboard
-
- Read about top issues IT decision-makers face every day, plus get cost effective solutions to real life IT problems. Oracle Topline
-
